Suspect dead, officer recovering after early morning shooting in Hardeeville

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 1:51 p.m.] An investigator with the Jasper County Coroners Office confirmed the suspect involved in this shooting has died in the hospital.

The scene at the Shell gas station has cleared. WTOC has reached out to Hardeeville Police Department for confirmation on the initial call for dispatch.

[ORIGINAL STORY] Hardeeville Police said they are working with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate a shooting involving an officer. Police say the shooting happened at around 4:30 a.m. Friday morning near Exit 5 by the Shell gas station. The incident happened during an active law enforcement response.

Hardeeville Police told us both the officer and the suspect were taken to a local hospital. As of 8:12 a.m. Friday morning, Hardeeville Police say the officer is currently in stable condition.

Throughout the morning, the gas station was taped off and investigators with SLED looked through the scene. From taking pictures of the evidence to looking to see if everything has been gathered from surveillance video to bullet casings.

Friday afternoon, we spoke with Hardeeville Police about the condition of the officer and why SLED is involved.

“Our officer is recovering is recovering in the hospital. It’s an ongoing investigation still. We have SLED here, which is protocol for this kind of incident,” said Sam Woodward, Hardeeville Police Chief.

We were not allowed to ask follow-up questions following this statement.

We also asked about the condition of the suspect, but were told that would come from SLED, which is now in charge of the investigation.

Stick with WTOC as we learn more.